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Posted: 2/5/2007 5:42:17 AM EDT
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I work 3rd shift and heard on the radio that the temp is -18F (with wind chill -36F). Sound like a good time for a function check on my Bushmaster. XM-15 w/16"bbl, Wolf 55 gr. ammo, lubed with Break-Free. I'll run a mag thru it to see if it will run. I figure any more than that is not necessary because by then it'll be good & warmed up anyway! So...place your bets! Will it run? 
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i don't know what people do around here to get their rifles to NOT run. i have a bunch of AR15's. they've been run with just about every kind of ammo, in every range of temps (as you can imagine it gets pretty cold here in Maine too  ).i've never had one stop running for any reason. my bet is that it'll be fine. |
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the only ammo i can recall not performing at -20F in my 20"A2 was the Olympic SS109. that ammo was crap. the rifle didn't like thermoulds at that temp either. the bolt would ride over the top of the next cartridge(XM193). switch to USGI with same ammo= worked fine. i would have thought that a canadian military plastic magazine would have worked sub-zero. advntrjnky ETA: it is hard to make the carbine gas sytem with a 16" barrel hick-up even when cold. |
"So...place your bets! Will it run?" No, it has no legs. |
I like the graphite idea... I did leave the rifle outside for a couple of hours...I think that is long enough for the rifle to get good and cold...it sure is long enough for my truck to get really cold! My rifle ran fine after corrected a mistake. I had litheum grease on the buffer piston & spring (to quiet the spring, works great in warm weather), and at -18F it's like I coated it with honey. It wouldn't even chamber a round! After wiping off the litheum it ran perfect, a lesson learned! |
I'm a step ahead of you...I fired a mag thru it, put in a fresh mag and it is now outside for the night waiting for tomorow's test! Well see if it'll work tomorrow, which is supposed to be about as cold, with no cleaning or re-lubing or anything...nothing but a fresh mag of really COLD ammo! My money is on the Bushmaster, I think it'll run just fine!  |
Whatever, As long as you don't use grease/crappy lube it will run. The only gun I had problems with was a 14.5 middy, wolf, with a 9mm buffer in the cold 5F. All that together was too much. CLP will work just fine down to -30. After that I don't know but I'm sure it will be fine. ETA don't dump a bottle of it in there either. A light coat works fine. |
No... that would put the wind chill between -22 to -26, NOT THE TEMPERATURE. Wind chill ONLY effects heat loss...like your body temp. You can call it the"feels like" temp. It DOES NOT make the temp colder. Example...If it is 42 Deg out...and you have a strong wind that brings the wind chill to say 29 deg.. water will not freeze because it still is 42 deg out, regargless of what the wind is doing. KyAKGuy |
WELL Looks like you lost your bet homie |
| If you keep the rifle in a constant temperature and use proper lubricants (0W-40 motor oils work well), the cold is not a problem at all. Extended periods in -35 celcius (-31F) is doable with motor oil if you take care of your rifle. Changing temperatures and condensation is what you should be worried about. When you move in and out of buildings and warm vehicles, the condensed moisture will eventually freeze up every metal part in your rifle. The selector and mag release are usually the first ones to go. If the small moving parts start exhibiting problems, immediately strip the rifle open and wipe off any condensed moisture. You should always do this just prior to moving outside. It's also good practice to cycle the action by hand a few times when you've stayed outside for five minutes or so. Only load 28 rounds in a mag, this will leave room to work the magazine spring and follower with your thumb to ensure the mag is working. Remember to keep something in front of your mouth. Exhaled moisture might cause problems in the long run. |
THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS...MAKES GOOD SENSE!!! |
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I remember a Torture test done by Swat magazine years ago ( I know what you are thinking a bullshit gun rag test) that was actually a pretty good test of a guns cold weather performance. they tested a bunch of guns, FAL, M16, Galils, Valmets, M1A & even a ruger mini 14. All the guns failed the test except for the Ak Based guns. Some one actually posted the article on here a while back, I will search for it in the archives & get back to you guys. |
Are you talking about the test they did back in the early 80's in Alaska? Interesting read, and not much has changed since in regard to cold weather performance. I think FNC and Valmet were the best performers in that test. |
What about the Norwegians and the Swedes then - they must be screwed in winter. Finns selected the Rk.62 due to Finlands special relationship with Russia, as the Norwegians adopted the AG-3 (G-3) and Diemaco C8 since they're NATO. The Swedes went their own way and adopted the AK-5 (FNC) Less a design issue than improper use of lubes. ETA anyone got a link to the SWAT piece? Thought CLP was advised against in severe cold weather. Whats CLP rated for? 10/20 below? Hasn't anyone been at Wainwright - Grayling? Theres a FM on cold weather ops - anyone have it? probably in there. Luck Alac |
Yes, That is the test, It was posted here, I looked in the Archives but cannot find it. |
+1 |
The "special relationship" being that Russia was and still is the most likely enemy in a crisis situation. The Valmet is a domestic design based on the Kalashnikov. An AK-47 variant in 7.62x39 was the best logical choice, since that's what would be pouring over the eastern border and that's what we would be picking up from fallen enemies. Same manual of arms, interchangeable magazines and interchangeable ammo - what's not to like? In the current world situation a Nato compatible platform is more beneficial, and a slow transition is in our future. Border patrol already has the G36. Sorry for the off-topic. |
im in fairbanks. not sure what the army guys are using now, ill ask tomorrow at the bar. i had my pistols cease to cycle in below freezing with clp and light loads. hard to test now, its only -5'F. |
| I use mobil 1 syn motor oil and my Bushy as well as everything else runs just fine in the cold. Using military LSA my bolt froze back one in Germany on an m-16, it Germany does not get near as cold as ND. Here is a little trivia; at -40 it is the same temperature in farenheit and Celcius. |
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